The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-11-18
Both sides Of 4 Stepladdsr.

before, but her temper had sustained
her 40 iar-til ten o'clock in the
morning-when anguish had taken
the place OF anger, and she had aban.
doned herself to grief and regret.
< carriage drove up to the door,
and the bell rang. Mrs. Bronson.
drying her eyes as we'll as she could,
ran down stairs, sure OF whom she
would find there.
80 Aunt Eunice.." she excIa med,
opening her arms to receive a serene
faced and whlte-haired old lady, who
stood smiling on the doorstep. "Im
so glad you've GOMEZ"
The welcome shone in her eyes, and
needed no words, Notwithstanding the
flushed and tear.stained face at which
Aunt Eunice looked wonderingly,
i've been housekeeping more than
q week" Mrs. Bronson explained as
she led the way into the little sitting.
room. Il hoped to get to rights be-
fore you came, but you see l couldn't
quite accomplish it."
"And somebody has been painting
and papering, l see. This is delight
full''
Mrs. Rowland looked about the
room with evident pleasure.
at is certainly delightful to have
a clean house, but. Aunt Eunice, I'd
give just now for a clean con-
science"
Mrs. Bronson's lip trembled, and
che tears began to fall again.
Tell me all about it, my dear"
and Mrs. Rowland drew the younger
woman down beside her upon thesOfa
with tender invitation of confidence
and mute promise Of unlimited SYM
pathy.
It was not easy for Mrs. Bronson
70 begin the telling. She touched the
plain gold ring on her aunt's finger-a
wedding ring.
i've had my first quarrel with Har-
ry," she said at last in a queer brok-
en- voice-the result OF her effort to
keep her self-control-"that is, we've
had a dreadful time; but it always
takes two to make a quarrel, as well
al a bargain, doesE it?"
"And there was only one IN this
oase?" Mrs. Rowland asked.
Only one, and | was the one.
That's the worst of it. You see, |
never worked so hard in my life as l
have the last week. Why, Aunt
Eunice, I've actually scrubbed foorsn'
and she spread out her plump little
hands with a comical gesture. II
hired a woman for two days-I
couldn't afford to have her any long
er, and between us we got the carpets
down. But there wasn't a single thing
in place when Harry came home
last night; nothing except the furni-
ture. All the books anu knick- knacks
were piled into the closet, and the
pictures were standing around-you
see every nall was pulled out of the
wall, and it was anything but easy
TO drive them in again so far
up. Well, / asked Harry to
wipe the dishes for me after tea, so
we could get to work as soon as posi-
bic. Of course / supposed he'd help
me, and be glad to do IL. Bnt what
do you think, Aunt Eunice? He Just
came into the sittingroom threw him
self down on the lounge, and took a
newspaper out ofhis pocket Twas new.
or so astonished in my life. i was
too ~astonished to speak, even, SO |
didn't speak. / went for the step.
1rni---
tel piece, and climbed up on it to
pound that great nail into the wall.
My hammer was.aot half big enough,
either, and ! hurt my hand awfully-
see therel" and she pointed to a little
bruise on one Of her fingers. e'Then
1 got down again and lifted that
Madonna, your wedding present, Aunt
Euniee, and manGged-Tm sure Idon't
know how-to get it on the nail. just
as ! was pulling theladder away, Har-
ny became conscious of what I was
about. sOh, let me helpyoui' he cried
as pleasant as possible, threw down
his paper, and took hold OF the ladder.
BY this time / was just furious. Think
OF his not noticing and not helping me
all that timel No THANK you. I
said, as hatetully as ] possibly could;
st ism + likely you would feel any par
ticular interest in fixing up your own
homc II you could have seer the
look he gave mel But I didn't APP
year to notice him. The ladder was
so heavy ! had all / could do to man
age IL. / gave it a vicious twist, and
it toppled over. struck the mantle and
the picture. and smashed the glass
into fifty pieces. Harry laughed,
and that was the worst OF
ell. VIII you let me help you now?'
he said. No, / won't. Harry Bron-
son, never as long as I Hve!p He gave
me that queer look again, muttered
something--I don't know what, but
Harry never swears-and took up his
hat and left the house. Oteourse
expected him back ia d few minutes,
but Aunt Eunice. and Mrs. Bronson
laid Ter hand on her aunt & knee 10
emphasize the statement which she
made in s most impressive manner
'it was half-paat eleven before he